Refrigerator and home appliance

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator including a main body forming a storage compartment, and a door configured to open and close the storage compartment. The door includes a door body rotatably coupled to the main body and including an insulator therein, a panel body positioned in a front of the door body, a first trim disposed at a first edge of the panel body and configured to be coupled to the door body while being rotated with respect to the door body, and a second trim disposed at a second edge opposite to the first edge of the panel body and configured to be coupled to the door body when the first trim is coupled to the door body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2019-0101998, filed on Aug. 20,2019, and 10-2020-0063401, filed on May 27, 2020 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a home appliance, and moreparticularly, to a refrigerator and a home appliance with an improveddoor structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a refrigerator is an appliance that keeps food fresh byincluding a main body provided with a storage compartment therein and acool air supply system for supplying cool air to the storagecompartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating chamberthat is maintained at temperature of about 0 degrees Celsius to 5degrees Celsius to keep food refrigerated, and a freezing chamber thatis maintained at temperature of about 0 degrees Celsius to −30 degreesCelsius to keep food frozen. Generally, the storage compartment isprovided to have an open front side for putting in and out of food, andthe open front side of the storage compartment is opened and closed by adoor.

Refrigerators may be classified into several types depending on the typeof storage compartment and door. Specifically, refrigerators may beclassified into a top mounted freezer (TMP) type refrigerator in which afreezing chamber is formed at an upper side thereof and a refrigeratingchamber is formed at a lower side thereof by vertically partitioning astorage compartment using a horizontal partition wall, and a bottommounted freezer (BMF) type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamberis formed at an upper side thereof and a freezing chamber is formed at alower side thereof by vertically partitioning a storage compartmentusing a horizontal partition wall. In addition, there are a side by side(SBS) type refrigerator in which a freezing chamber is formed at oneside thereof and a refrigerating chamber is formed at the other sidethereof by horizontally partitioning a storage compartment using avertical partition wall, and a French door refrigerator (FDR) in which arefrigerating chamber is formed at an upper side thereof and a freezingchamber is formed at a lower side thereof by vertically partitioning astorage compartment using a horizontal partition wall and therefrigerating chamber formed at the upper side is opened and closed by apair of doors.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a refrigerator and a homeappliance capable of easily changing the design of a door.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a refrigerator and ahome appliance capable of preventing an edge of a door panel from beingseparated from a door body when the door panel is fixed to the doorbody.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator includesa main body forming a storage compartment, and a door configured to openand close the storage compartment, wherein the door includes a door bodyrotatably coupled to the main body and including an insulator therein, apanel body positioned in a front of the door body, a first trim disposedat a first edge of the panel body and configured to be coupled to thedoor body while being rotated with respect to the door body, and asecond trim disposed at a second edge opposite to the first edge of thepanel body and configured to be coupled to the door body when the firsttrim is coupled to the door body.

The door may further include a fixing member coupled to the second trimand the door body, the fixing member configured to fix the second trimwith respect to the door body when the second trim is coupled to thedoor body.

The door body may include a mounting space formed to allow the firsttrim to be rotated when the first trim is coupled to the door body.

The first trim may include a first trim groove, and the door body mayinclude a cap protrusion formed to be inserted into the first trimgroove and configured to support the first trim to restrict movement ofthe first trim in a front-rear direction when the first trim is coupledto the door body.

The first trim may further include a first trim body fixed to the panelbody, a first trim protrusion protruding to be spaced apart from thefirst trim body to form the first trim groove, and a first trim cut-outportion formed to separate the first trim protrusion into a plurality ofportions.

The second trim may include a second trim body fixed to the panel body,a second trim protrusion extending from the second trim body andconfigured to be coupled to the door body, and a second trim cut-outportion formed to separate the second trim protrusion into a pluralityof portions.

The door may further include a third trim disposed on a third edgeperpendicular to the first edge and the second edge of the panel bodyand configured to be fixed to the door body when the first trim iscoupled to the door body.

The third trim may include a third trim body fixed to the panel body, athird trim protrusion extending from the third trim body to be coupledto the door body, and a third trim cut-out portion formed to separatethe third trim protrusion into a plurality of portions.

The third trim may include a magnetic body.

The third trim may include a third trim body fixed to the panel body,and a third trim protrusion including a material more flexible than amaterial of the third trim body and configured to be coupled to the doorbody.

The third trim may include a third trim body fixed to the panel body, athird trim protrusion protruding from the third trim toward the doorbody, and a third trim cover including a material more flexible than amaterial of the third trim body and a material of the third trimprotrusion, and the third trim cover configured to cover an outer sideof the third trim protrusion.

The third trim may include a third trim protrusion having a portionprotruding toward the door body, and the door body may include a chassisfixing portion configured to support the third trim protrusion in adirection in which the panel body is coupled to the door body.

One of the third trim protrusion and the chassis fixing portion mayinclude a material having elasticity to be deformable when the thirdtrim is coupled to the door body.

The door may further include a buffer member disposed between the panelbody and the door body, and the buffer member configured to absorb animpact applied to the panel body.

The door body may include a chassis forming left and right sides of thedoor, a lower door cap forming a lower surface of the door andconfigured to be coupled to the first trim, an upper door cap forming anupper surface of the door and configured to be coupled to the secondtrim, a case forming a rear surface of the door, and a cover forming afront surface of the door body and configured to be covered by the panelbody.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a home applianceincludes a main body having an open side, and a door configured to openand close the open side of the main body, wherein the door includes adoor body rotatably coupled to the main body, a panel body positioned ina front of the door body, a first trim disposed at a lower end of thepanel body and configured to be coupled to the door body while beingrotated with respect to the door body, a second trim disposed at anupper end of the panel body and configured to be coupled to the doorbody when the first trim is coupled to the door body, and a third trimdisposed at left and right ends of the panel body, respectively, andconfigured to be fixed to the door body when the first trim is coupledto the door body.

The first trim may include a first trim body fixed to the panel body, afirst trim protrusion protruding from the first trim body, and a firsttrim cut-out portion formed to separate the first trim protrusion into aplurality of portions.

The first trim may further include a first trim groove formed betweenthe first trim body and the first trim protrusion, and the door body mayinclude a cap protrusion formed to be inserted into the first trimgroove.

The door body may include a mounting space formed to allow the firsttrim to be rotated when the first trim is coupled to the door body.

The door may further include a fixing member configured to penetrate thedoor body and the second trim to fix the second trim to the door bodywhen the second trim is coupled to the door body.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not r post instances, such definitions apply to prior,as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of theembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first door illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which a door panel of the first doorillustrated in FIG. 2 is separated from a door body;

FIG. 4 illustrates a lower trim illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates an upper trim illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side trim illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a door body illustrated inFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the lowertrim illustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the uppertrim illustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the sidetrim illustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the doorpanel illustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body;

FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the side trim of the door panelillustrated in FIG. 10 is coupled to a chassis of the door body;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a process in which an upper end of thedoor panel illustrated in FIG. 2 is fixed to the door body;

FIG. 14 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a door panelaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a lowertrim illustrated in FIG. 14 is coupled to a door body;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an uppertrim illustrated in FIG. 14 is coupled to the door body;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim illustrated in FIG. 14 is coupled to the door body;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body;

FIG. 22 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first dooraccording to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first dooraccording to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 24 illustrates a clothes manager to which a door panel and a doorbody according to another embodiment of the disclosure are applied;

FIG. 25 illustrates a state in which the door panel illustrated in FIG.24 is separated from the door body;

FIG. 26 illustrates a cooking appliance to which a door panel and a doorbody according to another embodiment of the disclosure are applied;

FIG. 27 illustrates a state in which the door panel illustrated in FIG.26 is separated from the door body;

FIG. 28 illustrates a dishwasher to which a door panel and a door bodyaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure are applied; and

FIG. 29 illustrates a state in which the door panel illustrated in FIG.28 is separated from the door body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 29, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Configurations shown in the embodiments and the drawings described inthe present specification are only the preferred embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that variousmodified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawingsdescribed in the present specification, are possible when filing thepresent application.

Like reference numbers or signs in the various figures of theapplication represent parts or components that perform substantially thesame functions.

The terms used in the present specification are used to describe theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that the following description ofexemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided forillustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It isto be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It willbe understood that when the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, figures, steps, components, or combinationthereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, figures, steps, components, members, or combinationsthereof.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may beused herein to describe various components, these components should notbe limited by these terms, and the terms are only used to distinguishone component from another. For example, without departing from thescope of the disclosure, the first component may be referred to as asecond component, and similarly, the second component may also bereferred to as a first component. The term “and/or” includes anycombination of a plurality of related items or any one of a plurality ofrelated items.

In this specification, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,”“left,” and “right” are defined with reference to the drawings, and theshape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 includes a main body 10, a storagecompartment 20 formed to be vertically partitioned inside the body 10, adoor 100 opening and closing the storage compartment 20, and a cold airsupply device supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20.

The main body 10 may include an inner case 11 forming the storagecompartment 20, an outer case 12 coupled to an outer side of the innercase 11 to form an appearance, and a main body insulator foamed betweenthe inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to insulate the storagecompartment 20.

The cold air supply device may generate cold air using a cold aircirculation cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates arefrigerant.

The storage compartment 20 may be divided into a plurality of chambersby the partition 15, and a plurality of shelves 25 and storagecontainers 26 may be provided inside the storage compartment 20 to storefood and the like.

The storage compartment 20 may be divided into a plurality of storagechambers 22, 23, 24 by the partition 15, and the partition 15 includes afirst partition 17 disposed horizontally inside the storage compartment20 to divide the storage compartment 20 into an upper storage chamber 22(or first storage chamber) and lower storage chambers 23 and 24, and asecond partition 19 vertically disposed in the lower storage chambers 23and 24 to divide the lower storage chambers 23 and 24 into a secondstorage chamber 23 and a third storage chamber 24.

The partition 15 having a T-shape by the combination of the firstpartition 17 and the second partition 19 may divide the storagecompartment 20 into three of spaces. The upper storage chamber 22 amongthe upper storage chamber 22 and the lower storage chambers 23 and 24divided by the first partition 17 may be used as a refrigeratingchamber, and the lower storage chambers 23 and 24 may be used asfreezing chambers.

Both the lower storage chambers 23 and 24 may be used as freezingchambers, but the second storage chamber 23 may be used as a freezingchamber and the third storage chamber 24 may be used as a refrigeratingchamber, and the second storage chamber 23 may be used as a freezingchamber and the third storage chamber 24 may be used as both a freezingchamber and a refrigerating chamber.

The division of the storage compartment 20 as described above isexemplified as an example, and each of the storage chambers 22, 23, and24 may be used differently from the above description.

The storage compartment 20 may be opened and closed by the door 100. Thedoor 100 may include a pair of first doors 101 (or upper doors) openingand closing the upper storage chamber 22, a pair of second doors 102 (orlower doors) opening and closing the lower storage chamber 23 and 24.The pair of first doors 101 and the pair of second doors 102 may openand close an open main body opening 10 a of the main body 10.

A rotating bar 103 may be provided on one of the pair of first doors101. The rotating bar 103 may close a gap between the pair of firstdoors 101 when the pair of first doors 101 are closed. The main body 10may be provided with a rotating bar guide 13 to guide the movement ofthe rotating bar 103.

Hereinafter, only one of the first door 101 and one of the second door102 will be described for convenience of description, and descriptionsof the remaining first door 101 and second door 102 will be omitted. Thefirst doors 101 and the second doors 102 whose description is omittedmay have the same configuration as the first doors 101 and the seconddoors 102, respectively, which will be described below, except that therespective first doors 101 and second doors 102 are provided in a mutualmirror symmetry. Also, the same configuration as that of the first door101 may be applied to the second door 102, and a detailed description ofthe configuration of the second door 102, which is the same as theconfiguration of the first door 101, may be omitted.

The upper storage chamber 22 may be opened and closed by the first door101 rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The first door 101 may beopened and closed through a first door handle 138 (see FIG. 7). Thefirst door handle 138 may be formed by being recessed on a bottomsurface of the first door 101.

A door shelf 105 for storing food may be provided on a rear surface ofthe first door 101. The door shelf 105 may include a shelf support 107extending vertically from the first door 101 to support the door shelf105 on the left and right sides of the door shelf 105. The shelf support107 may be separately configured to be detachably coupled to the firstdoor 101, and in the present embodiment, the shelf support 107 protrudesrearward from the rear surface of the first door 101 to extend in thevertical direction.

A first gasket 109 may be provided on an edge of the rear surface of thefirst door 101 to seal a gap with the main body 10 when the first door101 is closed. The first gasket 109 may be installed in a loop shapealong the edge of the rear surface of the first door 101, and a firstmagnet may be provided therein.

The lower storage chambers 23 and 24 may be opened and closed by thesecond door 102 rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The second door102 may be opened and closed through a second door handle 104. Thesecond door handle 104 may be formed by being recessed on an uppersurface of the second door 102. The second door 102 may be provided in asliding manner.

A second gasket 106 may be provided on an edge of a rear surface of thesecond door 102 to seal a gap with the main body 10 when the second door102 is closed. The second gasket 106 may be installed in a loop shapealong the edge of the rear surface of the second door 102, and a secondmagnet may be provided therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first door illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3illustrates a state in which a door panel of the first door illustratedin FIG. 2 is separated from a door body. FIG. 4 illustrates a lower trimillustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates an upper trim illustrated inFIG. 3. FIG. 6 illustrates a side trim illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 isan exploded perspective view of a door body illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG.8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the lower trimillustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body. FIG. 9 is across-sectional view illustrating a state in which the upper trimillustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body. FIG. 10 is across-sectional view illustrating a state in which the side trimillustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first door 101 may include a door panel110 and a door body 120. The door panel 110 may be detachably coupled tothe door body 120.

Referring to FIG. 3, the door panel 110 may include a panel body 111, abuffer member 115, and fixing trims 116, 117, and 118.

The panel body 111 may form an outer shape of the first door 101. Thepanel body 111 may have a flat plate shape. Various designs may beprovided on a front surface of the panel body 111 to meet the needs ofusers. The fixing trims 116, 117, and 118 for coupling with the doorbody 120 may be disposed on a rear surface of the panel body 111.

The panel body 111 may have a thickness of a predetermined size or more.The panel body 111 illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 may include glass. Whenthe panel body 111 has a thickness greater than or equal to thepredetermined size, an end of the panel body 111 may be finished not tobe sharp.

The buffer member 115 may be disposed on the rear surface of the panelbody 111. The buffer member 115 may be disposed in a space formedbetween the door panel 110 and the door body 120. The buffer member 115may be configured to prevent an impact from being transmitted to thedoor body 120 when the impact is applied to the door panel 110. Also,the buffer member 115 may be configured to absorb noise that may begenerated in the door panel 110. The buffer member 115 may includeexpanded polystyrene.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the fixing trims 116, 117, and 118 mayinclude the lower trim 116, the upper trim 117, and the side trim 118.The fixing trims 116, 117, and 118 may be attached to the panel body 111through an adhesive 108 (see FIGS. 8 to 10). The fixing trims 116, 117,and 118 may be adhered to the panel body 111 by a poly urethane reactive(PUR) adhesion method. However, the fixing method of the fixing trims116, 117, and 118 is not limited thereto. By the fixing trims 116, 117and 118, the door panel 110 may be securely coupled to the door body 120and may be easily detached from the door body 120.

Specifically, referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, the lower trim 116 includes alower trim body 116 a, a lower trim protrusion 116 b, a lower trimgroove 116 c, and a lower trim cut-out portion 116 d. The lower trim 116may be referred to as the first trim 116. The lower trim 116 may bedisposed on a lower edge of the panel body 111.

The lower trim body 116 a may extend in a substantially horizontaldirection to be fixed to a lower end of the panel body 111. The lowertrim body 116 a may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. Thelower trim body 116 a may be fixed to the panel body 111 through theadhesive 108.

The lower trim protrusion 116 b may protrude rearward from the lowertrim body 116 a. The lower trim protrusion 116 b may be provided suchthat the lower trim groove 116 c is formed, together with the lower trimbody 116 a. The lower trim protrusion 116 b may be formed to extendrearward by a predetermined length from the lower trim body 116 a andthen extend in a substantially vertical direction.

The lower trim groove 116 c may be formed between the lower trimprotrusion 116 b and the lower trim body 116 a. The lower trim groove116 c may accommodate a lower cap protrusion 139 of a lower door cap136. The lower trim groove 116 c may be provided to correspond to a sizeand/or shape of the lower cap protrusion 139. As the lower capprotrusion 139 is inserted into the lower trim groove 116 c, the lowerend of the panel body 111 may be fixed to the door body 120.

The lower trim cut-out portion 116 d may be formed at the lower trimprotrusion 116 b. The lower trim cut-out portion 116 d may be providedto separate the lower trim protrusion 116 b into a plurality ofportions. The portions of the lower trim protrusion 116 b separated bythe lower trim cut-out portion 116 d may be disposed to be spaced apartfrom each other along a direction in which the lower trim protrusion 116b extends. FIG. 4 illustrates that one of the lower trim cut-out portion116 d is provided, the number of the lower trim cut-out portions 116 dis not limited thereto. As the lower trim cut-out portion 116 dseparates the lower trim protrusion 116 b into a plurality of portions,when the panel body 111 is deformed by heat, the lower trim 116 may beprevented from being damaged by a deformation force applied to the lowertrim 116.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, the upper trim 117 may include an upper trimbody 117 a, an upper trim protrusion 117 b, and an upper trim hole 117c. The upper trim 117 may be referred to as the second trim 117. Theupper trim 117 may be disposed on an upper edge of the panel body 111.

The upper trim body 117 a may extend in a substantially horizontaldirection to be fixed to an upper end of the panel body 111. The uppertrim body 117 a may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. Theupper trim body 117 a may be fixed to the panel body 111 through theadhesive 108.

The upper trim protrusion 117 b may protrude rearward from the uppertrim body 117 a. The upper trim protrusion 117 b may be provided to beinserted into an upper coupling groove 132 of an upper door cap 130. Theupper trim protrusion 117 b may be fixed by a fixing member 134 in astate of being inserted into the upper coupling groove 132.

The upper trim hole 117 c may be formed on the upper trim protrusion 117b. The upper trim hole 117 c may be provided to allow the fixing member134 to be inserted. The upper trim hole 117 c may be formed tosubstantially vertically penetrate the upper trim protrusion 117 b. Asthe fixing member 134 is inserted into the upper trim hole 117 c in astate in which the upper trim protrusion 117 b is inserted into theupper coupling groove 132, the upper end of the panel body 111 may befixed to the door body 120.

An upper trim cut-out portion 117 d may be formed at the upper trimprotrusion 117 b. The upper trim cut-out portion 117 d may be providedto separate the upper trim protrusion 117 b into a plurality ofportions. The portions of the upper trim protrusion 117 b separated bythe upper trim cut-out portion 117 d may be disposed to be spaced apartfrom each other along a direction in which the upper trim protrusion 117b extends. FIG. 5 illustrates that two of the upper trim cut-outportions 117 d are provided, the number of the upper trim cut-outportions 117 d is not limited thereto. As the upper trim cut-out portion117 d separates the upper trim protrusion 117 b into a plurality ofportions, when the panel body 111 is deformed by heat, the upper trim117 may be prevented from being damaged by a deformation force appliedto the upper trim 117.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 10, the side trim 118 may include a side trimbody 118 a, a side trim protrusion 118 b, and a side trim cut-outportion 118 d. The side trim 118 may be referred to as the third trim118. The side trim 118 may be disposed on edges of the left and rightsides of the panel body 111.

The side trim body 118 a may extend in a substantially verticaldirection to be fixed to a left end and a right end of the panel body111, respectively. The side trim body 118 a may have a substantiallyrectangular plate shape. The side trim body 118 a may be fixed to thepanel body 111 through the adhesive 108.

The side trim protrusion 118 b may protrude rearward from the side trimbody 118 a. The side trim protrusions 118 b may be coupled to chassisfixing portions 122 of chassis 121 and 126, respectively. The side trimprotrusion 118 b may include a material having a predeterminedelasticity so that the side trim protrusion 118 b may be restored afterbeing deformed by being pressed by the chassis fixing portion 122 whencoupled to the chassis fixing portion 122. The side trim protrusion 118b may be provided such that an elastic force is generated in a directionof coming into contact with the chassis fixing portion 122 when the sidetrim 118 is coupled to the door body 120. The side trim protrusion 118 bmay have a shape in which at least a portion thereof is bent toward thechassis fixing portion 122.

The side trim cut-out portion 118 d may be formed at the side trimprotrusion 118 b. The side trim cut-out portion 118 d may be provided toseparate the side trim protrusion 118 b into a plurality of portions.The portions of the side trim protrusion 118 b separated by the sidetrim cut-out portion 118 d may be disposed to be spaced apart from eachother along a direction in which the side trim protrusion 118 b extends.FIG. 6 illustrates that three of the side trim cut-out portions 118 dare provided, the number of the side trim cut-out portions 118 d is notlimited thereto. As the side trim cut-out portion 118 d separates theside trim protrusion 118 b into a plurality of portions, when the panelbody 111 is deformed by heat, the side trim 118 may be prevented frombeing damaged by a deformation force applied to the side trim 118.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the door body 120 may include the chassis121 and 126, the upper door cap 130, the lower door cap 136, a cover140, and a case 150.

The chassis 121 and 126 may include a different material from the upperdoor cap 130 and the lower door cap 136. Specifically, the chassis 121and 126 may include aluminum. The upper door cap 130 and the lower doorcap 136 may include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin).

The chassis 121 and 126 may include the first chassis 121 forming a leftside surface of the first door 101 and the second chassis 126 forming aright side surface of the first door 101. The chassis 121 and 126 mayextend in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, only the first chassis121 will be described for convenience of description, and the samestructure as the first chassis 121 may be applied to the second chassis126.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, the first chassis 121 may include thechassis fixing portion 122. The chassis fixing portion 122 may becoupled to the side trim protrusion 118 b of the side trim 118. Thechassis fixing portion 122 may include a portion extending toward thepanel body 111 when the door panel 110 is mounted on the door body 120.The chassis fixing portion 122 may include a material having apredetermined elasticity so that the chassis fixing portion 122 may berestored after being deformed by being pressed by the side trimprotrusion 118 b when coupled to the side trim protrusion 118 b. Thechassis fixing portion 122 may be provided such that an elastic force isgenerated in a direction of coming into contact with the side trim 118when the side trim 118 is coupled to the door body 120. The chassisfixing portion 122 may have a shape in which at least a portion thereofis bent toward the side trim 118.

The first chassis 121 may include a chassis hole 123. The chassis hole123 may be formed such that a fastening member for coupling with thecover 140 may be coupled thereto. As the cover 140 is aligned withrespect to the first chassis 121 so that a cover hole 142 is located ata position corresponding to the chassis hole 123 and then the fasteningmember is inserted into the cover hole 142 and the chassis hole 123, thecover 140 may be fixed to the first chassis 121.

The upper door cap 130 may be coupled to upper ends of the chassis 121and 126. The upper door cap 130 may form an upper surface of the firstdoor 101. The upper door cap 130 may include an upper cap body 131.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the upper coupling groove 132 may be formedon the upper cap body 131. The upper coupling groove 132 may be formedby being recessed on one surface facing the door panel 110. The uppercoupling groove 132 may be provided to accommodate a portion of theupper trim 117.

A passing opening 133 may be formed on an upper surface of the upper capbody 131. Specifically, the passing opening 133 may be formed tocommunicate the upper coupling groove 132 with the outside when thefixing member 134 is not mounted. The fixing member 134 may be insertedinto the upper coupling groove 132 through the passing opening 133 andthen coupled to the upper trim hole 117 c of the upper trim 117. Whenthe insertion of the fixing member 134 is completed, the passing opening133 may be covered by the fixing member 134. The fixing member 134 maybe detachably mounted on the upper cap body 131.

An upper cap hole 135 may be formed on the upper cap body 131. The uppercap hole 135 may be formed such that a fastening member for couplingwith the cover 140 may be coupled thereto. As the cover 140 is alignedwith respect to the upper door cap 130 so that the cover hole 142 islocated at a position corresponding to the upper cap hole 135 and thenthe fastening member is inserted into the cover hole 142 and the uppercap hole 135, the cover 140 may be fixed to the upper door cap 130.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower door cap 136 may be coupled tolower ends of the chassis 121 and 126. The lower door cap 136 may formthe bottom surface of the first door 101. The lower door cap 136 mayinclude a lower cap body 137.

The first door handle 138 may be formed on the lower cap body 137. Thefirst door handle 138 may be formed by being recessed upward from abottom surface of the lower door cap 136.

The lower cap protrusion 139 may be formed on the lower cap body 137.The lower cap protrusion 139 may protrude upward from a bottom surfaceof the lower cap body 137. The lower cap protrusion 139 may be providedto be inserted into the lower trim groove 116 c of the lower trim 116.

The lower cap body 137 may include an installation guide 137 aprotruding upward from the bottom surface thereof. The installationguide 137 a may be disposed to be spaced apart from the lower capprotrusion 139 by a predetermined distance. The installation guide 137 amay guide the lower trim 116 of the door panel 110 to an installationposition when the door panel 110 is mounted on the door body 120.

A mounting space 139 a may be formed between the installation guide 137a and the lower cap protrusion 139. Through the mounting space 139 a,the door panel 110 may be rotated such that the lower cap protrusion 139is inserted into the lower trim groove 116 c in a state in which a lowerend of the door panel 110 is positioned adjacent to the lower capprotrusion 139. Accordingly, the door panel 110 may be fixed to the doorbody 120.

A lower cap hole 137 aa may be formed on the lower cap body 137. Thelower cap hole 137 aa may be formed such that a fastening member forcoupling with the cover 140 may be coupled thereto. As the cover 140 isaligned with respect to the lower door cap 136 so that the cover hole142 is located at a position corresponding to the lower cap hole 137 aaand then the fastening member is inserted into the cover hole 142 andthe lower cap hole 137 aa, the cover 140 may be fixed to the lower doorcap 136.

The chassis 121 and 126, the upper door cap 130, and the lower door cap136 may form upper, lower, left, and right surfaces of the first door101. The chassis 121 and 126, the upper door cap 130, and the lower doorcap 136 may be collectively referred to as a door frame. The door framemay have a shape in which front and rear sides thereof are open. FIG. 7illustrates that the chassis 121 and 126, the upper door cap 130, andthe lower door cap 136 are detachably provided, but the chassis 121 and126, the upper door cap 130, and the lower door cap 136 may beintegrally formed. That is, the door frame may be integrally formed.

The cover 140 may be mounted on the door frame to cover the open frontside of the door frame. The cover 140 may include a cover body 141.

The cover body 141 may include the cover holes 142 through whichfastening members pass when the cover 140 is coupled to the chassis 121and 126, the upper door cap 130, and the lower door cap 136. Edges ofthe cover body 141 may be fixed to the chassis 121 and 126, the upperdoor cap 130, and the lower door cap 136, respectively, as the fasteningmembers pass through the cover holes 142 and then are coupled to thechassis 121 and 126, the upper door cap 130, and the lower door cap 136,respectively.

A bent portion 143 may be provided at a lower end of the cover body 141.The bent portion 143 may be formed to be bent rearward from the coverbody 141. The bent portion 143 may be provided to form a step with thecover body 141. The bent portion 143 may form the mounting space 139 atogether with the lower cap protrusion 139 and the installation guide137 a. The cover hole 142 for coupling with the lower door cap 136 maybe formed on the bent portion 143.

The case 150 may be mounted to the door frame to cover the open rearside of the door frame. The case 150 may include the first shelf support107 on which the first door shelf 105 is mounted.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the doorpanel illustrated in FIG. 3 is coupled to the door body. FIG. 12illustrates a state in which the side trim of the door panel illustratedin FIG. 10 is coupled to a chassis of the door body. FIG. 13 is a viewfor explaining a process in which an upper end of the door panelillustrated in FIG. 2 is fixed to the door body.

A process of assembling the door panel 110 to the door body 120 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

First, the upper door cap 130 and the lower door cap 136 are coupled tothe upper and lower ends of the chassis 121 and 126, respectively, toform the door frame. The cover 140 and the case 150 are coupled to thefront and rear sides of the door frame, respectively, to form the doorbody 120. The insulator 129 is foamed inside the door body 120.

Referring to FIG. 11, the door panel 110 may be aligned such that thelower trim 116 faces the lower cap protrusion 139 of the door body 120.The door panel 110 may be positioned to extend toward an upper frontfrom the lower cap protrusion 139. The door panel 110 is rotated in astate in which an end of the lower cap protrusion 139 is aligned to belocated at an inlet of the lower trim groove 116 c so that the lower capprotrusion 139 may be inserted into the lower trim groove 116 c. Basedon the direction shown in FIG. 11, the door panel 110 may be rotatedclockwise to be firstly coupled to the door body 120 as shown in FIG. 8.As the mounting space 139 a is formed in the lower door cap 136, thedoor panel 110 may be rotated and be coupled with respect to the doorbody 120.

Referring to FIG. 12, as the door panel 110 is rotated to be coupled tothe door body 120, the side trim 118 may be coupled to the chassis 121and 126. The side trims 118 may be coupled to the chassis 121 and 126sequentially from the lower side to the upper side. Specifically, theside trims 118 may be coupled to the chassis 121 and 126 while the sidetrim protrusion 118 b and/or the chassis fixing portion 122 is deformedwhen the side trim protrusion 118 b comes into contact with the chassisfixing portion 122. When the side trims 118 are coupled to the chassis121 and 126, respectively, an elastic force may be applied to the sidetrim protrusion 118 b and the chassis fixing portion 122 in a mutuallycontacting direction.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the coupling of the side trim 118 iscompleted, the upper trim protrusion 117 b of the upper trim 117 may beinserted into the upper coupling groove 132. When the upper trimprotrusion 117 b is inserted into the upper coupling groove 132, thefixing member 134 may be inserted into the upper trim hole 117 c throughthe passing opening 133. As the fixing member 134 is coupled to thepassing opening 133 and the upper trim hole 117 c, the door panel 110may be fixed to the upper door cap 130.

As the above process is reversed, the door panel 110 may be separatedfrom the door body 120.

Through the above-described process, in the refrigerator 1 according toan embodiment of the disclosure, the door panel 110 may be easilycoupled to the door body 120 or may be easily separated from the doorbody 120.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a door panelaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 15 is across-sectional view illustrating a state in which a lower trimillustrated in FIG. 14 is coupled to a door body. FIG. 16 is across-sectional view illustrating a state in which an upper trimillustrated in FIG. 14 is coupled to the door body. FIG. 17 is across-sectional view illustrating a state in which a side trimillustrated in FIG. 14 is coupled to the door body.

A door panel 110′ according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 14, the door panel 110′ according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure may include a panel body 111′, the buffermember 115, the fixing trims 116 and 117, and a fixing trim 118′. Thepanel body 111′ and the side trim 118′ of the door panel 110′ accordingto another embodiment of the disclosure are different from those of thedoor panel 110 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the other components of thedoor panels 110′ may be the same as those of the door panel 110.

Unlike the panel body 111 including the glass illustrated in FIGS. 8 to10, when the panel body 111′ of the door panel 110′ according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure is formed of a relatively thin iron plate,an end of the panel body 111′ may not be easily finished so as not to besharpen like the finishing of the end of the panel body 111 illustratedin FIGS. 8 to 10.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, in this case, the end of the panel body111′ may be bent toward a direction of being coupled to the door body120. The end portion of the bent panel body 111′ may be referred to as apanel bent portion 111 a′.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 15, the panel bent portion 111 a′ of alower end of the panel body 111′ may be bent to be positioned below thelower trim 116. The panel bent portion 111 a′ of the lower end of thepanel body 111′ may be positioned between the lower trim 116 and a frontend portion of the lower cap body 137.

Referring to FIG. 16, the panel bent portion 111 a′ of an upper end ofthe panel body 111′ may be bent to be positioned above the upper trim117. The panel bent portion 111 a′ of the upper end of the panel body111′ may be positioned between the upper trim 117 and a front endportion of the upper cap body 131.

Referring to FIG. 17, the panel bent portions 111 a′ of the left andright sides of the panel body 111′ may be positioned in chassisaccommodating portions 124 of the chassis 121 and 126. The chassis 121and 126 may include the chassis accommodating portion 124 formed toaccommodate the panel bent portion 111 a′ of the panel body 111′. Thepanel bent portion 111 a′ may be supported by the chassis accommodatingportion 124 when the door panel 110′ is coupled to the door body 120.

The chassis 121 and 126 may include the chassis accommodating portion124 even when the door panel 110 illustrated in FIG. 10 is mounted. Thatis, the chassis 121 and 126 including the chassis accommodating portion124 may be compatible with various types of the door panels 110 and110′.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 17, the side trim 118′ may be disposed at endsof the left and right sides of the panel body 111′. The side trim 118′may be fixed to the panel body 111′ through the adhesive 108. Theadhesive 108 may be provided as double-sided tape. The side trim 118′may allow the ends of the left and right sides of the door panel 110′ tobe securely fixed to the door body 120 when the door panel 110′ iscoupled to the door body 120.

The side trim 118′ may include a magnetic body. The side trim 118′ maybe provided to generate an attractive force between the cover 140 andthe side trim 118′ when the door panel 110′ is coupled to the door body120. The cover 140 may include steel. As the side trim 118′ comes intocontact with and is fixed to the cover 140 by the attractive forcebetween the side trim 118′ and the cover 140, the opposite side ends ofthe door panel 110′ may be in close contact with and stably fixed to thedoor body 120.

The side trim 118′ may extend in a vertical direction along edges of theleft and right sides of the panel body 111′. The side trim 118′ may bedisposed to be spaced apart from the panel bent portion 111 a′ of thepanel body 111′.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body.

A side trim 218 according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 18. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 18, the side trim 218 according to another embodimentof the disclosure may include a side trim body 218 a and a side trimprotrusion 218 b. The side trim 218 may includeacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin).

The side trim body 218 a may extend in a substantially verticaldirection to be fixed to a left end and right end of the panel body111′, respectively. The side trim body 218 a may have a substantiallyrectangular plate shape. The side trim body 218 a may be fixed to thepanel body 111′ through the adhesive 108.

The side trim protrusion 218 b may protrude rearward from the side trimbody 218 a. The side trim protrusions 218 b may be coupled to thechassis 121 and 126, respectively. The side trim protrusion 218 b mayinclude a first locking portion 218 ba and a second locking portion 218bb.

The first locking portion 218 ba may be coupled to the chassis fixingportion 122. The second locking portion 218 bb may be coupled to achassis locking portion 125. The side trim protrusion 218 b may have ashape of extending rearward from the side trim body 218 a and then beingbranched into the first locking portion 218 ba and the second lockingportion 218 bb. The first locking portion 218 ba and the second lockingportion 218 bb may be branched in opposite directions.

The first locking portion 218 ba and the second locking portion 218 bbmay include a material having a predetermined elasticity so that thefirst and second locking portions 218 ba and 218 bb may be restoredafter being deformed by being pressed by the chassis fixing portion 122and the chassis locking portion 125 when coupled to the chassis fixingportion 122 and the chassis locking portion 125. The first lockingportion 218 ba and the second locking portion 218 bb may be providedsuch that an elastic force is generated in a direction of coming intocontact with the chassis fixing portion 122 and the chassis lockingportion 125, respectively, when the side trim 118 is coupled to the doorbody 120. The first locking portion 218 ba may have a shape in which atleast a portion thereof is bent toward the chassis fixing portion 122.The second locking portion 218 bb may have a shape in which at least aportion thereof is bent toward the chassis locking portion 125.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body.

A side trim 318 according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 19. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 19, the side trim 318 according to another embodimentof the disclosure may include a side trim body 318 a and a side trimprotrusion 318 b. The configuration of the side trim body 318 a is thesame as that of the side trim body 218 a illustrated in FIG. 18.

The side trim protrusion 318 b may protrude rearward from the side trimbody 318 a. The side trim protrusions 318 b may be coupled to thechassis 121 and 126. The side trim protrusion 318 b may include alocking portion 318 ba. The configuration of the locking portion 318 bamay be substantially the same as that of the second locking portion 218bb illustrated in FIG. 18. That is, the side trim protrusion 318 billustrated in FIG. 19 may be configured such that the first lockingportion 218 ba is not provided compared to the side trim protrusion 218b illustrated in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body.

A side trim 418 according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 20. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 20, the side trim 418 according to another embodimentof the disclosure may include a side trim body 418 a and a side trimprotrusion 418 b.

The side trim body 418 a may extend in a substantially verticaldirection to be fixed to the left end and right end of the panel body111′, respectively. The side trim body 418 a may have a substantiallyrectangular plate shape. The side trim body 418 a may be fixed to thepanel body 111′ through the adhesive 108.

The side trim protrusion 418 b may protrude rearward from the side trimbody 418 a. The side trim protrusions 418 b may be coupled to thechassis 121 and 126, respectively. The side trim protrusion 418 b mayinclude a first locking portion 418 ba and a second locking portion 418bb.

The first locking portion 418 ba may be coupled to the chassis fixingportion 122. The second locking portion 418 bb may be coupled to thechassis locking portion 125. The first locking portion 418 ba and thesecond locking portion 418 bb may be provided to face in oppositedirections.

The side trim protrusion 418 b may include a material that is moreflexible than the side trim body 418 a. Specifically, the side trimprotrusion 418 b may include a material having a predeterminedelasticity so that the side trim protrusion 418 b may be restored afterbeing deformed by being pressed by the chassis fixing portion 122 andthe chassis locking portion 125 when coupled to the chassis fixingportion 122 and the chassis locking portion 125. The side trim body 418a may include hard polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the side trimprotrusion 418 b may include soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The first locking portion 418 ba may be provided to be supported by thechassis fixing portion 122 when the side trim 418 is coupled to the doorbody 120. The second locking portion 418 bb may be provided to besupported by the chassis locking portion 125 when the side trim 418 iscoupled to the door body 120. That is, the side trim protrusions 418 bmay be formed to be unfolded after being constricted in a process ofbeing coupled to the chassis 121 and 126. When the side trim protrusions418 b are coupled to the chassis 121 and 126, the first locking portion418 ba and the second locking portion 418 bb may be unfolded to besupported by the chassis fixing portion 122 and the chassis lockingportion 125, respectively.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a sidetrim according to another embodiment of the disclosure is coupled to thedoor body.

A side trim 518 according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 21. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 21, the side trim 519 according to another embodimentof the disclosure may include a side trim body 518 a, a side trimprotrusion 518 b, and a side trim cover 518 c.

The side trim body 518 a may extend in a substantially verticaldirection to be fixed to the left end and right end of the panel body111′, respectively. The side trim body 518 a may have a substantiallyrectangular plate shape. The side trim body 518 a may be fixed to thepanel body 111′ through the adhesive 108.

The side trim protrusion 518 b may protrude rearward from the side trimbody 518 a. The side trim cover 518 c may be provided at an outer sideof the side trim protrusion 518 b.

The side trim cover 518 c may be coupled to the side trim protrusion 518b to cover a circumference of the side trim protrusion 518 b. The sidetrim cover 518 c may include a material that is more flexible than theside trim protrusion 518 b. Specifically, the side trim cover 518 c mayinclude a material having a predetermined elasticity so that the sidetrim cover 518 c may be restored after being deformed by being pressedby the chassis fixing portion 122 and the chassis locking portion 125when coupled to the chassis fixing portion 122 and the chassis lockingportion 125. The side trim cover 518 c may include a first lockingportion 518 ca provided to be locked to the chassis fixing portion 122,and a second locking portion 518 cb provided to be locked to the chassislocking portion 125. The side trim body 518 a and the side trimprotrusion 518 b may include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABSresin), and the side trim cover 518 c may include rubber.

The side trim cover 518 c may be supported by the chassis fixing portion122 and the chassis locking portion 125 by being deformed to becontracted during passing between the chassis fixing portion 122 and thechassis locking portion 125 and then restored to be unfold afterpassing. The chassis fixing portion 122 may support the first lockingportion 518 ca, and the chassis locking portion 125 may support thesecond locking portion 518 cb.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first dooraccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

A first door 201 according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 22. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 22, the first door 201 according to another embodimentof the disclosure may include a door panel 210, a door body 220, and adoor display 260. One of the structures provided in the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 3, 14, and 18 to 21 may be applied to a structurein which the door panel 210 is coupled to the door body 220.

The door display 260 may be mounted on the door body 220. A displayopening 241 a for exposing the door display 260 to the outside may beformed on a cover body 241 of a cover 240.

A panel opening 211 a for exposing the door display 260 to the outsidemay be formed on the door panel 210. The panel opening 211 a may beformed slightly larger than a size of the door display 260.

A display bezel 270 may be mounted on an edge of the panel opening 211 aformed on a panel body 211 of the door panel 210. The display bezel 270may cover a gap formed between the panel opening 211 a and the doordisplay 260. Specifically, when the panel opening 211 a is formed on thepanel body 211 of the door panel 210, smooth finishing of the edge ofthe panel opening 211 a may not be easy. As such, when the edge of thepanel opening 211 a is not smoothly finished, the edge of the panelopening 211 a may be smoothly finished by mounting the display bezel 270on the panel opening 211 a.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first dooraccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

A first door 301 according to another embodiment of the disclosure willbe described with reference to FIG. 23. The same numbers will beassigned to the same components as those of the above-describedembodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 23, the first door 301 according to another embodimentof the disclosure may include a door panel 310, a door body 320, and adispenser 360. One of the structures provided in the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 3, 14, and 18 to 21 may be applied to a structurein which the door panel 310 is coupled to the door body 320.

The dispenser 360 may be mounted on the door body 320. A dispenseropening 341 a for exposing the dispenser 360 to the outside may beformed on a cover body 341 of a cover 340.

A panel opening 311 a for exposing the dispenser 360 to the outside maybe formed on the door panel 310. The panel opening 311 a may be formedslightly larger than a size of the dispenser 360.

A dispenser bezel 370 may be mounted on an edge of the panel opening 311a formed on a panel body 311 of the door panel 310. The dispenser bezel370 may cover a gap formed between the panel opening 311 a and thedispenser 360. Specifically, when the panel opening 311 a is formed onthe panel body 311 of the door panel 310, smooth finishing of the edgeof the panel opening 311 a may not be easy. As such, when the edge ofthe panel opening 311 a is not smoothly finished, the edge of the panelopening 311 a may be smoothly finished by mounting the dispenser bezel370 on the panel opening 311 a.

FIG. 24 illustrates a clothes manager to which a door panel and a doorbody according to another embodiment of the disclosure are applied. FIG.25 illustrates a state in which the door panel illustrated in FIG. 24 isseparated from the door body.

A clothes manager 4 to which a door panel 410 and a door body 420 areapplied according to another embodiment of the disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. Detailed descriptions ofthe same configurations as those of the door panel 110 and the door body120 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the clothes manager 4 may include a mainbody 400 forming an appearance and a door 401 rotatably coupled to themain body 400. The clothes manager 4 may include a clothes managementcompartment provided inside the main body 400 to accommodate and manageclothes, a clothes support member provided inside the clothes managementcompartment to hang clothes, and a machine compartment in which a heatexchange device for dehumidifying or heating air inside the clothesmanagement compartment is accommodated.

The door 401 may include a door panel 410 and a door body 420. The doorpanel 410 may be detachably coupled to the door body 420.

Referring to FIG. 25, the door panel 410 may include a panel body 411, abuffer member 415, and fixing trims 416, 417, and 419.

Various designs may be provided on a front surface of the panel body 411to meet the needs of users. The fixing trims 416, 417, and 419 forcoupling with the door body 420 may be disposed on a rear surface of thepanel body 411. The buffer member 415 may be disposed in a space formedbetween the door panel 410 and the door body 420.

The fixing trims 416, 417, and 419 may include the lower trim 416, theupper trim 417, and the side trim 419. By the fixing trims 416, 417 and419, the door panel 410 may be securely coupled to the door body 420 andmay be easily detached from the door body 420.

Specifically, the lower trim 416 may be coupled to a lower capprotrusion 439 provided on the door body 420, the upper trim 417 may becoupled to an upper coupling groove 432 provided on the door body 420,and the side trim 419 may be coupled to a chassis fixing portion 422provided on the door body 420.

The door body 420 may include a door frame 426. The door frame 426 mayinclude the chassis fixing portion 422 formed on the left and right sideportions thereof. The chassis fixing portion 422 may be coupled to theside trim 419. The door frame 426 may include the upper coupling groove432 formed at an upper end thereof. The upper coupling groove 432 may beformed to accommodate a portion of the upper trim 417. The door frame426 may include the lower cap protrusion 439 formed at a lower endthereof. The lower cap protrusion 439 may be inserted into the lowertrim 416.

The cover 440 may be mounted to the door frame 426 to cover an openfront of the door frame 426.

A process of mounting the door panel 410 on the door body 420 orseparating the door panel 410 from the door body 420 is the same as thatof mounting the door panel 110 on the door body 120 or separating thedoor panel 110 from the door body 120 which is illustrated in FIGS. 11to 13. That is, the lower trim 416, the upper trim 417, the side trim419, the chassis fixing portion 422, the upper coupling groove 432, andthe lower cap protrusion 439, which are illustrated in FIG. 25, may beconfigured to be the same as the lower trim 116, the upper trim 117, theside trim 118, the chassis fixing portion 122, the upper coupling groove132, and the lower cap protrusion 139, which are illustrated in FIG. 3,respectively.

In the clothes manager 4 including the door panel 410 and the door body420 according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the door panel410 may be easily coupled to the door body 420 or may be easilyseparated from the door body 420. Accordingly, the design and/ormaterial of the door 401 of the clothes manager 4 may be easily changedaccording to the needs of users.

FIG. 26 illustrates a cooking appliance to which a door panel and a doorbody according to another embodiment of the disclosure are applied. FIG.27 illustrates a state in which the door panel illustrated in FIG. 26 isseparated from the door body.

A cooking appliance 5 to which a door panel 510 and a door body 520 areapplied according to another embodiment of the disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. Detailed descriptions ofthe same configurations as those of the door panel 110 and the door body120 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the cooking appliance 5 may include a mainbody 500 forming an appearance and a door 501 provided to open and closean open front of the main body 500. The cooking appliance 5 may includea cooking chamber formed inside the main body 500 to cook food.

A control panel 506 may be installed at an upper front of the cookingappliance 5. The control panel 506 may include an input 508 and adisplay 507. The input 508 may be provided to allow a user to input acommand for an operation such as a cooking function, a cooking mode, anda cooking time of the cooking appliance 5. As an example, the input 508may be provided with a plurality of switches through which the user mayselect a cooking mode. The plurality of switches of the input 508 may beprovided in a touch sensing method. The display 507 may be configured todisplay conditions set by the user and operation states according to theconditions, using letters, numbers, and symbols.

The door 501 may include a door panel 510 and a door body 520. The doorpanel 510 may be detachably coupled to the door body 520.

Referring to FIG. 27, the door panel 510 may include a panel body 511, abuffer member, and fixing trims 516, 517, and 519.

Various designs may be provided on a front surface of the panel body 511to meet the needs of users. The fixing trims 516, 517, and 519 forcoupling with the door body 520 may be disposed on a rear surface of thepanel body 511. The buffer member may be disposed in a space formedbetween the door panel 510 and the door body 520.

The fixing trims 516, 517, and 519 may include the lower trim 516, theupper trim 517, and the side trim 519. By the fixing trims 516, 517 and519, the door panel 510 may be securely coupled to the door body 520 andmay be easily detached from the door body 520.

Specifically, the lower trim 516 may be coupled to a lower capprotrusion 539 provided on the door body 520, the upper trim 517 may becoupled to an upper coupling groove 532 provided on the door body 520,and the side trim 519 may be coupled to a chassis fixing portion 522provided on the door body 520.

The door body 520 may include a door frame 526. The door frame 526 mayinclude the chassis fixing portion 522 formed on the left and right sideportions thereof. The chassis fixing portion 522 may be coupled to theside trim 519. The door frame 526 may include the upper coupling groove532 formed at an upper end thereof. The upper coupling groove 532 may beformed to accommodate a portion of the upper trim 517. The door frame526 may include the lower cap protrusion 539 formed at a lower endthereof. The lower cap protrusion 539 may be inserted into the lowertrim 516.

The cover 540 may be mounted to the door frame 526 to cover an openfront of the door frame 526.

The door 501 may be provided with a see-through window 502 on a frontside so that the inside of the cooking chamber may be seen in a state inwhich the cooking chamber is closed. The user may check the cookingprocess through the see-through window 502 provided on the door 501during cooking food.

A panel opening 511 a in which the see-through window 502 is mounted maybe formed in the door panel 510. The panel opening 511 a may be formedslightly larger than a size of the see-through window 502.

A see-through window bezel 570 may be mounted on an edge of the panelopening 511 a formed on the panel body 511 of the door panel 510. Thesee-through window bezel 570 may cover a gap formed between the panelopening 511 a and the see-through window 502.

A process of mounting the door panel 510 on the door body 520 orseparating the door panel 510 from the door body 520 is the same as thatof mounting the door panel 110 on the door body 120 or separating thedoor panel 110 from the door body 120 which is illustrated in FIGS. 11to 13. That is, the lower trim 516, the upper trim 517, the side trim519, the chassis fixing portion 522, the upper coupling groove 532, andthe lower cap protrusion 539, which are illustrated in FIG. 27, may beconfigured to be the same as the lower trim 116, the upper trim 117, theside trim 118, the chassis fixing portion 122, the upper coupling groove132, and the lower cap protrusion 139, which are illustrated in FIG. 3,respectively.

In the cooking appliance 5 including the door panel 510 and the doorbody 520 according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the doorpanel 510 may be easily coupled to the door body 520 or may be easilyseparated from the door body 520. Accordingly, the design and/ormaterial of the door 501 of the cooking appliance 5 may be easilychanged according to the needs of users.

FIG. 28 illustrates a dishwasher to which a door panel and a door bodyaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure are applied. FIG. 29illustrates a state in which the door panel illustrated in FIG. 28 isseparated from the door body.

A dishwasher 6 to which a door panel 610 and a door body 620 are appliedaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described withreference to FIGS. 28 and 29. Detailed descriptions of the sameconfigurations as those of the door panel 110 and the door body 120illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the dishwasher 6 may include a main body600 forming an appearance and a door 601 provided to open and close anopen front of the main body 600. The dishwasher 6 may include a washingchamber formed inside the main body 600.

The door 601 may be provided with a controller 606 configured to controlthe dishwasher 6. The controller 606 may be positioned at an upper endof the door 601. A PCB may be installed in the control 606.

A display 607 may be disposed on the door 601. The display 607 may beconfigured to visually display an operating state of the dishwasher 6.The display 607 is provided to display various information such as anoperating state and an operating time of the dishwasher 6.

The door 601 may include a door panel 610 and a door body 620. The doorpanel 610 may be detachably coupled to the door body 620.

Referring to FIG. 29, the door panel 610 may include a panel body 611, abuffer member 615, and fixing trims 616, 617, and 619.

Various designs may be provided on a front surface of the panel body 611to meet the needs of users. The fixing trims 616, 617, and 619 forcoupling with the door body 620 may be disposed on a rear surface of thepanel body 611. The buffer member 615 may be disposed in a space formedbetween the door panel 610 and the door body 620.

The fixing trims 616, 617, and 619 may include the lower trim 616, theupper trim 617, and the side trim 619. By the fixing trims 616, 617 and619, the door panel 610 may be securely coupled to the door body 620 andmay be easily detached from the door body 620.

Specifically, the lower trim 616 may be coupled to a lower capprotrusion 639 provided on the door body 620, the upper trim 617 may becoupled to an upper coupling groove 632 provided on the door body 620,and the side trim 619 may be coupled to a chassis fixing portion 622provided on the door body 620.

The door body 620 may include a door frame 626. The door frame 626 mayinclude the chassis fixing portion 622 formed on the left and right sideportions thereof. The chassis fixing portion 622 may be coupled to theside trim 619. The door frame 626 may include the upper coupling groove632 formed at an upper end thereof. The upper coupling groove 632 may beformed to accommodate a portion of the upper trim 617. The door frame626 may include the lower cap protrusion 639 formed at a lower endthereof. The lower cap protrusion 639 may be inserted into the lowertrim 616.

The cover 640 may be mounted to the door frame 626 to cover an openfront of the door frame 626.

A process of mounting the door panel 610 on the door body 620 orseparating the door panel 610 from the door body 620 is the same as thatof mounting the door panel 110 on the door body 120 or separating thedoor panel 110 from the door body 120 which is illustrated in FIGS. 11to 13. That is, the lower trim 616, the upper trim 617, the side trim619, the chassis fixing portion 622, the upper coupling groove 632, andthe lower cap protrusion 639, which are illustrated in FIG. 29, may beconfigured to be the same as the lower trim 116, the upper trim 117, theside trim 118, the chassis fixing portion 122, the upper coupling groove132, and the lower cap protrusion 139, which are illustrated in FIG. 3,respectively.

In the dishwasher 6 including the door panel 610 and the door body 620according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the door panel 610may be easily coupled to the door body 620 or may be easily separatedfrom the door body 620. Accordingly, the design and/or material of thedoor 601 of the dishwasher 6 may be easily changed according to theneeds of users.

In the above, only the embodiments in which the door panel detachablefrom the door body according to the embodiments of the disclosure areapplied to the refrigerator, clothes manager, cooking appliance, anddishwasher have been described, but the door panel detachable from thedoor body according to the embodiments of the disclosure may be appliedto any home appliance in the case of the home appliance including adoor.

As is apparent from the above, according to the disclosure, because arefrigerator and a home appliance include a door panel detachablymounted on a door body, the design of the door can be easily changed.

According to the disclosure, because an edge of the door panel of therefrigerator and the home appliance is fixed to the door body, the edgeof the door panel can be prevented from being separated from the doorbody.

While the disclosure has been particularly described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although the present disclosure has been described with variousembodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body forming astorage compartment; and a door configured to open and close the storagecompartment, the door including: a door body including: an upper doorcap, a lower door cap, a cover forming a front surface of the door body,chassis forming opposite side surfaces of the door body, a case forminga rear surface of the door body, and an insulating material between theupper door cap, the lower door cap, the cover, the chassis, and thecase, and a door panel including: a panel body having an upper endportion of the panel body bent rearward to thereby form an upper bentportion of the panel body, and a lower end portion of the panel bodybent rearward to thereby form a lower bent portion of the panel body, anupper trim fixed to a rear surface of the panel body, and a lower trimfixed to the rear surface of the panel body, wherein the door panel,assembled with at least the panel body, the upper trim, and the lowertrim, is detachably coupleable to the door body, assembled with at leastthe upper door cap, the lower door cap, the cover, the chassis, thecase, and the insulating material, and, when the door panel is coupledto the door body, a front end portion of the upper door cap protrudesforward further than the cover to cover at least a portion of an uppersurface of the upper bent portion of the panel body, a front end portionof the lower door cap protrudes forward further than the cover to coverat least a portion of a lower surface of the lower bent portion of thepanel body, the upper bent portion of the panel body is disposed betweenthe front end portion of the upper door cap and the upper trim, and thelower bent portion of the panel body is disposed between the front endportion of the lower door cap and the lower trim.
 2. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, wherein the panel body has first and secondopposite side portions that are bent rearward to thereby form first andsecond opposite side panel bending portions, respectively, and thechassis include a first chassis having a portion protruding forwardfurther than the cover to cover at least a portion of an outer surfaceof the first opposite side panel bending portion when the door panel iscoupled to the door body, and a second chassis having a portionprotruding forward further than the cover to cover at least a portion ofan outer surface of the second opposite side panel bending portion whenthe door panel is coupled to the door body.
 3. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 2, wherein the door panel includes side trims thatare magnetic and are disposed along edges of opposite sides of the rearsurface of the panel body, and the door panel is attachable to the coverby magnetic forces due to the side trims being magnetically attracted tothe cover.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein when thedoor panel is coupled to the door body, the first opposite side panelbending portion is disposed between the portion of the first chassisprotruding forward further than the cover and a first side trim of theside trims, and when the door panel is coupled to the door body, thesecond opposite side panel bending portion is disposed between theportion of the second chassis protruding forward further than the coverand a second side trim of the side trims.
 5. The refrigerator accordingto claim 1, wherein the door further includes a fixing member thatincludes a fixing protrusion, and, when the door panel is coupled to thedoor body, the fixing protrusion is coupled to the upper trim and theupper door cap such that the upper trim is fixed to the upper door cap.6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the upper door capincludes an opening formed toward a front of the main body and athrough-hole formed to be open on an upper surface of the upper doorcap, the upper trim includes an upper trim protrusion having an uppertrim hole, and, when the door panel is coupled to the door body, theupper trim protrusion is inserted through the opening, and the fixingmember is inserted through the through-hole, coupled to the upper trimhole, and covers a portion of the through-hole.
 7. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 6, wherein the upper trim hole is formed to bevertically aligned with the through-hole when the door panel is coupledto the door body.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,while the door panel is detached from the door body, a portion of theupper door cap to which the upper trim is coupleable is exposed by thecover.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the doorfurther includes an absorbing member that is disposed between the sidetrims on the rear surface of the panel body and that includes a buffermaterial or a sound absorbing material, and when the door panel iscoupled to the door body, the absorbing member is disposed between thedoor panel and the door body.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 1,wherein the upper trim incudes an upper trim body having a rectangularshape and an upper trim protrusion protruding from the upper trim body,the lower trim includes a lower trim body having a rectangular shape anda lower trim protrusion protruding from the lower trim body to form alower trim groove, and when the door panel is coupled to the door body,the upper trim protrusion is inserted into the upper door cap.
 11. Therefrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the lower door cap includesa lower cap protrusion that protrudes upward from the front end portionof the lower door cap and, when the door panel is coupled to the doorbody, is inserted into the lower trim groove.
 12. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 11, wherein the door body includes a space to allowthe lower trim to move so that the lower cap protrusion is insertableinto the lower trim groove when the door panel is being coupled to thedoor body.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the uppertrim is configured so that, when the door panel is being coupled to thedoor body with the lower cap protrusion inserted into the lower trimgroove, the upper trim couples to the upper door cap.
 14. Therefrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the lower trim grooveincludes a first lower trim groove and a second lower trim groove spacedapart from the first lower trim groove along a direction in which thelower trim longitudinally extends.
 15. The refrigerator according toclaim 1, wherein, when the door panel is coupled to the door body, afront surface of the panel body is disposed in front of the upper doorcap, the lower door cap, and the chassis so that the front surface ofthe panel body is not covered by the upper door cap, the lower door cap,and the chassis.
 16. A refrigerator comprising: a main body forming astorage compartment; and a door configured to open and close the storagecompartment, the door including: a door body including: an upper doorcap, a lower door cap, a cover forming a front surface of the door body,and chassis forming opposite side surfaces of the door body, the chassisincluding a first chassis and a second chassis, and a door paneldetachably coupleable to the door body, the door panel including: apanel body having an upper end portion of the panel body bent rearwardto thereby form an upper bent portion of the panel body, a lower endportion of the panel body bent rearward to thereby form a lower bentportion of the panel body, and first and second opposite side portionsthat are bent rearward to thereby form first and second opposite sidepanel bending portions, respectively, an upper trim disposed on a rearsurface of the panel body, and a lower trim disposed on the rear surfaceof the panel body, wherein when the door panel is coupled to the doorbody, a front end portion of the upper door cap protrudes forwardfurther than the cover to cover at least a portion of an upper surfaceof the upper bent portion of the panel body, a front end portion of thelower door cap protrudes forward further than the cover to cover atleast a portion of a lower surface of the lower bent portion of thepanel body, the upper bent portion of the panel body is disposed betweenthe front end portion of the upper door cap and the upper trim, thelower bent portion of the panel body is disposed between the front endportion of the lower door cap and the lower trim, a portion of the firstchassis protrudes forward further than the cover to cover at least aportion of an outer surface of the first opposite side panel bendingportion, and a portion of the second chassis protrudes forward furtherthan the cover to cover at least a portion of an outer surface of thesecond opposite side panel bending portion.
 17. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 16, wherein the door panel includes side trims thatare magnetic and are disposed along edges of opposite sides of the rearsurface of the panel body, and the door panel is attachable to the coverby magnetic forces due to the side trims being magnetically attracted tothe cover.
 18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein when thedoor panel is coupled to the door body, the first opposite side panelbending portion is disposed between the portion of the first chassisprotruding forward further than the cover and a first side trim of theside trims, and when the door panel is coupled to the door body, thesecond opposite side panel bending portion is disposed between theportion of the second chassis protruding forward further than the coverand a second side trim of the side trims.
 19. The refrigerator accordingto claim 17, wherein the door further includes an absorbing member thatis disposed between the side trims on the rear surface of the panel bodyand that includes a buffer material or a sound absorbing material, andwhen the door panel is coupled to the door body, the absorbing member isdisposed between the door panel and the door body.
 20. A refrigeratorcomprising: a main body forming a storage compartment; and a doorconfigured to open and close the storage compartment, the doorincluding: a door body including: an upper door cap including an openingformed toward a front of the main body and a through-hole formed to beopen on an upper surface of the upper door cap, a lower door cap, acover forming a front surface of the door body, and chassis formingopposite side surfaces of the door body, a door panel detachablycoupleable to the door body, the door panel including: a panel bodyhaving an upper end portion of the panel body bent rearward to therebyform an upper bent portion of the panel body, and a lower end portion ofthe panel body bent rearward to thereby form a lower bent portion of thepanel body, an upper trim disposed on a rear surface of the panel bodyand including an upper trim protrusion having an upper trim hole, and alower trim disposed on the rear surface of the panel body, and a fixingmember that includes a fixing protrusion, wherein when the door panel iscoupled to the door body, a front end portion of the upper door capprotrudes forward further than the cover to cover at least a portion ofan upper surface of the upper bent portion of the panel body, a frontend portion of the lower door cap protrudes forward further than thecover to cover at least a portion of a lower surface of the lower bentportion of the panel body, the upper bent portion of the panel body isdisposed between the front end portion of the upper door cap and theupper trim, the lower bent portion of the panel body is disposed betweenthe front end portion of the lower door cap and the lower trim, thefixing protrusion is coupled to the upper trim and the upper door capsuch that the upper trim is fixed to the upper door cap, the upper trimprotrusion is inserted through the opening, and the fixing member isinserted through the through-hole, coupled to the upper trim hole, andcovers a portion of the through-hole.
 21. The refrigerator according toclaim 20, wherein the upper trim hole is formed to be vertically alignedwith the through-hole when the door panel is coupled to the door body.